Having demolished Arsenal just a couple of weeks back, Jose Mourinho will be looking to strengthen his grip on the Premier League title race when his Chelsea machine visit the high flying Crystal Palace. In what proved to be a triumph of tactics and know-how over pretty football lacking an end product, Mourinho maintained his perfect, unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger to ensure Chelsea’s lead at the top of the table remains 5 points, which when put into perspective, is miles above in Premier League terms. Diego Costa was sumptuously fed by Cesc Fabregas for his ninth goal in seven games, and having tucked away his first goal for La Roja over the week against Luxembourg, the Spaniard would be even more hungry to continue his fine scoring form for Chelsea.
Predicted Chelsea Line up vs Crystal Palace
Let’s put ourselves in Jose Mourinho’s shoes and pick his team to take on Palace at the weekend.
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois has well and truly established himself as the No.1 goalkeeper this season and after recording his third clean sheet against the Gunners, the Belgian would not be willing to let his goal be breached easily.
Defence
Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta.
In Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea have an experienced center half who has moulded himself into a marauding right back, adept as much in an attacking sense as defensive. The centre back partnership of Gary Cahill and John Terry laid the foundations for Chelsea’s UCL winning campaign in 2012 and the experienced England duo should continue at the heart of defence. While Filipe Luis has found opportunities few and far between, Jose Mourinho has kept faith with the ever dependable Cesar Azpilicueta. And after keeping Sanchez in his back pocket in the previous game, the Spaniard would be confident of keeping the Palace attackers at bay.
Continued on next page>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>